Portuguese 5-Egg Easter Bread

In a saucepan combine milk, salt and lard and bring to a boil . Set aside. In a small bowl combine yeast, 1 cup of the flour and 1/2 cup warm water and set aside. In a large bowl with a whisk combine eggs, sugar and lemon zest and mix thoroughly. Add milk mixture, yeast mixture, and remaining flour and thoroughly combine. Set aside to rise, kneading 6 times every 1/2-hour. Bread will take 6 hours to rise. Prepare 5 round loaf pans with butter or lard. Divide dough between pans (pans should be half-full). Knead bread and let it rise again until it reaches the top of the pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 1 hour, until golden brown. Note: If you choose to add the 5 eggs for Easter, place eggs on top of bread dough during final rising.